After what seemed like a never ending spring of pandemic quarantine and endless snowstorms we are now fully open for business (with a few minor covid restrictions in place). The fishing has made our mood even better with all of our waters fishing well at the moment. We’ve been doing well with all techniques depending on water type. On Saturday we had good success nymphing faster runs and riffles. While the cloud cover on Sunday offered a good bite in the slower pools fishing emergers, dry flies, and streamers when the hatch shut off.
Brendan Forauer with a large wild rainbow trout caught on a recent float trip.
Brendan with a solid wild brown. Our new Stealth Craft Skinny skiff has allowed us to fish water with deadly efficiency.
The Andro
With flows around 2,000 cfs and water temps hovering in the high 50’s the Andro is in her prime right now. Nymphing with stoneflies, caddis pupa and pheasant tails has been productive in faster water during times of high bug activity while streamers have been key to produce eats when the hatch shuts off. The trout are spread out throughout the river with both fast and slow water holding good fish. If you see rises but can’t get the fish to take don’t be afraid to strip an emerger. The trout in the Andro like movement on the fly.
Fish on! These Andro trout sure do bend the fly rod!
The Andro has been producing some fine wild brook trout this spring!
Doubles are not uncommon right now!
A healthy brown taken on a stripped emerger.
A fine example of an Andro Bow.
Saco
The Saco is fishing well with gray drake mayfly hatches in full swing. Be prepared to fish streamers like zoo cougars, muddler minnows and buggers before the hatch kicks in. Swinging red quill soft hackles can work well in the mornings and early evenings before the spinner fall takes place. A traditional rusty spinner can work well but we’ve done well with compara-dun style flies to mimic the spinner with still upright wings.
Ellis
The Ellis is finally leveled out and should be fishing well. We have not really fished the Ellis much yet but flows and hatches of mayflies and caddis should be well underway.
Mountain Streams
After a long duration snowmelt the mountain streams are finally beginning to fish well. Hatches have been on for a few weeks but the fish are just now starting to look up. Fish the warm days for best results on these streams. If you are at higher elevations be prepared for a late day snowmelt bump which could turn off the bite.
Wild Brook Trout waters
Hunting the slow water with a streamer.
A NH Native!
These streams continue to fish well with most trout settled into their prime time holding water. Look for fish to key on dries and nymphs when waters are low and the sun is shining. In the deeper pools and on cloudy or rainy days be sure to toss a small streamer. We like small jig style buggers.
Looking forward
We keep a constant eye on the weather, and water flows. Right now, with some showers in the forecast and a healthy supply of slow snowmelt in the mountains, flows look to stay moderate and prime for the next several weeks. Water temps should stay solid as well as daytime highs will range from 70-80 degrees and lows will fall into the 50’s every night. We will continue to see hatches of mayflies and caddis on most mornings and evenings. The best hatch days will be on warmer days with cloud cover. But even cooler days have seen good hatches as of late. On the Andro we are anticipating a banner Alder fly hatch this year as water temps and flows should remain ideal through the hatch window. It is looking like the hatch will run a little late this season, probably starting the last week of June. We still have dates available if you want to get in on some of the best dry fly fishing of the year!
In Summary
We are happy to be busy guiding again and we look forward to sharing the water with many of you in a covid safe manner. For the time being we are requesting all clients bring their own lunch’s and bring masks to wear when in close proximity to others. Right now lodging is available for in-state anglers and for those who have quarantined for 14 days. It looks like lodging will open up to everyone on June 15th. We will keep you posted!
Tight lines,
Nate